statocyst
/ˈstætəˌsɪst/
noun
- A small sensory organ in some invertebrates (like jellyfish, crabs, or snails) that helps them sense balance and orientation by detecting gravity.
- The jellyfish uses its statocyst to know which way is up in the water.
- Crabs rely on tiny statocysts inside their bodies to keep their balance as they scuttle sideways.
- When a snail's statocyst is damaged, it may have trouble righting itself if it gets flipped over.